Avoid membrane stripping in GBS positive mothers: Studies using
ultrasound contrast media show "facilitated transport" of vaginal fluid
into the lower uterine segment during cervical manipulation. We have
reported three perinatal deaths after membrane stripping in GBS positive
mothers at term. GBS vaginitis is well reported.* [From a handout
about The Jesse Cause]
[*Maniatis
A, J Med Micro 1996.44.199-202]

Women usually want me to sweep membranes. I ask them. Yes
it's uncomfortable, but it can be appropriate. I call it massaging,
not stripping.

My anecdotal stuff about stretch and sweeps is that it seldom works,
and when it "works" to get someone into labour, it is long and drawn out.
I do use castor oil for inductions.

Formation of the forebag of waters helps to start labor. Squatting may
help to form the forebag.

Well, I figure you do a "good one" if you're going to do one at all.
Must be good indications and mom must have been given informed consent.
Never do it preterm, with a feverish mom, or if any suspicion of low lying
placenta or previa....

That said: When mom is ready and relaxed (as much as possible), start
as if a usual internal exam. It helps a lot if the mom can be in a position
to give you a greater reach -- lying on firm surface with bottom elevated
on low pillow helps. Using sterile gloves, and sterile technique, (gently)
put one and then two fingers into the cervix. You will attempt to "follow
the cervix around", loosening the membranes from their attachments. As
you slowly do this, gently stretching the cervix, you should feel it opening
and relaxing. (Often you can only get one finger in at first, after a minute,
the cervix will open another few centimeters). Moving gently and slowly,
you should gradually be able to move your finger(s) more deeply to the
sides, separating the bag of waters from the lower uterus... take your
time, be very gentle, move slowly -- five minutes is not too long -- stop
and wait (or back off) if it's too uncomfortable for the mom. Move your
fingers outward, to the sides, not upward toward the BOW. STOP if you feel
firm adhesions, or a gravely surface (this might be placenta).

Often folks will say that sweeping the membranes doesn't work -- but
(often) they just don't get in there deeply enough or spend enough time
to make a difference. If you take your time at this, you might find the
woman only 2 or 3 centimeters dilated at the beginning, and 4 or 5 with
good forewaters formed by the end. I can often get two knuckles deep, most
of the way around. If you get this far, it's an excellent bet that labor
will start within 24 hours -- and probably sooner than that! the mom may
begin cramping immediately, often this continues into active labor within
a few hours.

You are loosening the plug, and will probably carry it with you as you
withdraw your hand. It's a good sign that you stripped the membranes well.
Let the mom know she may find more bloody show through the day. If labor
doesn't begin within 24 hours, the plug should reform.

Stripping the membranes this way is quite an intervention -- next step
is breaking the waters -- neither should be undertaken lightly. IF labor
"must" begin, I'll usually choose this method over less certain ones --
herbs, enemas, castor oil -- or in conjunction with them. PS: for a better
picture, I'll often explain it this way to my clients: To envision stripping
the membranes, imagine a filled water balloon (BOW) inside another balloon
(uterus); you want to loosen any "sticking" between the two balloons by
putting your fingers through the opening of the outer balloon (the cervix)
and sliding your fingers between the two layers.

Stripping membranes involves sticking your finger into the cervix and
separating the cervix and lower uterine segment from the membranes. It
generates local production of prostaglandins and frequently brings on labor
in someone who is close anyway. It almost certainly increases the risk
of chorioamnionitis and premature rupture of membranes. Its use is controversial
in the obstetrical literature, and in my opinion, for what that's worth,
it is dangerous and unnecessary. Labor starts when it is time, leave well
enough alone.

I take my time, am gentle, and slow, but I really go in, if i can. If
I get blood (or mucus plug) the success rate goes way up. I usually have
them sit on their fists, for a better "reach". Sometimes you really have
to walk a posterior cervix down, so that you can get in. I have also found
that if the baby is not ready to come, mom off on dates, etc, then it doesn't
work, and if the cervix isn't ripe i usually don't even try.

It's like "dialing the telephone".

For a better picture, I'll often explain it this way to my clients:
To envision stripping the membranes, imagine a filled water balloon (BOW)
inside another balloon (uterus); you want to loosen any "sticking" between
the two balloons by putting your fingers through the opening of the outer
balloon (the cervix) and sliding your fingers between the two layers --
just a little ways though...

I would only do this for strong indications -- not just because mom
was tired of being pregnant or a few days past due...Stripping the membranes
this way is an intervention -- and shouldn't be undertaken lightly. IF
we feel labor should begin, I'll usually choose this method over less certain
ones -- herbs, enemas, castor oil -- or in conjunction with them if labor
MUST begin.

( We call this the "one, two punch" -- mom drinks castor oil, then we
strip membranes, then she sips medicinal tea while we wait for the castor
oil to work, then we might do a medicinal enema after the castor oil has
taken effect. We use the same recipe for tea and enema -- pint of water,
two droppers of "labor tincture" and one each of blue and black cohosh
in strong red raspberry tea with a spoonful of honey -- tastes good by
mouth; can't speak for the other end of course[Grin].)

We would only consider this in extreme necessity - membranes ruptured
for 24 hours or so; or some other NEED to get labor started. It is nearly
fool proof -- hasn't failed yet anyway -- and seems pretty risk free -
and is far more comfortable than a pitocin induction. Labor will usually
be going well within three hours; and usually no further stimulus is needed,
the pattern seems quite normal once it begins. (more normal than pitocin
anyway). But we don't do this lightly- and PLEASE don't try home inductions
without EXCELLENT reasons! An induction by any method is one of the highest
risks
for eventual cesarean section -- please be careful!

Cons -- we are interfering with the normal timing of labor (and generally
the natural time for labor to begin results in the best labor)

-- I guess there is a potential risk of infection; as in ALL cervical
exams and manipulations (Never heard of one though)

- Perhaps one could rupture membranes if they were fragile and ready
to break (never heard of this either)

- Might dislodge a low placenta (though unlikely if head is engaged;
and we are careful!)

- Could get a false start going -- perhaps dislodge plug, start a few
contractions and everything would quit; resulting in disappointed and tired
mom?

PS -- some say that stripping works (when it works) because we start
an infection in the cervix. To counter that argument, I would point out
that contractions often begin while we are doing the stripping -- and it
takes a lot longer than a few minutes or couple hours to get an infection
going!

NOTE : the herbal tea/enema mixture is traditional use -- don't know
of any research on it; folks have just been using it for a long time.

I have had little success with low dose herbs, or herbs to ripen cervix,
or herbs used alone to start labor -- -- If I'd like to get labor going,
I go for the purely mechanical -- stimulating the cervix by stripping membranes;
and/or stimulating the bowel. If we REALLY want to get labor going we combine
the mechanical and the herbal; if we feel the baby has the time to play
around.... But If there is a medical reason to get this baby out right
NOW -- we go to the hospital!

Hi! I love the topic of stripping membranes!!

First of all I wish it had a better name, like "separating" the membranes,
because "stripping" sounds so painful.

I am a direct entry, homebirth, relatively non-interventive midwife.
I think that stripping membranes is a fabulous was to get a labor started,
when a lady is overdue, or needs to get her labor going for some other
reason.

A finger, or two, are placed inside the cervix, and swept around as
far as the fingers will reach. What happens is that the amniotic sac is
separated from the cervical wall, thus releasing prostaglandins into the
blood stream. If it is to work, it usually works within three days. If
we see a little blood after the exam, that is a good sign that it will
work. You can sometimes feel the membranes separating. It feels shiny,
or squeaky. When I can feel that, it is more likely to work. I have a very
high success rate, but then I almost never do it unless mom is overdue.

I would do it at 42 weeks, or if I had a client with lessening amniotic
fluid and non-reactive baby. Any signs of postmaturity or a labor-support
client who is up against any kind of chemical induction. I would strip
membranes for someone who's only other choice was to get a biophysical
profile, and NST, and hospital induction. Better and cheaper to get the
baby born, in most cases.

Con- very small chance of breaking water. It is sometimes very painful.
I do it slowly, with informed consent, calmly, explain every step. The
slower it is done, the less the pain. It doesn't have to be painful.

Pro- better in my opinion, than any other means of induction, with virtually
no side effects. Castor oil gives terrible diarrhea, which may last throughout
labor. Breast pump is often very effective, but gives a brand new mom very
sore breasts, and can get baby off to a bad start Herbs often don't work.
Most of the other stuff doesn't really work. Drugs -- well, do I need to
say anything about the side effects of drugs? Stripping can be done at
home, is safe. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work.
The consequences of postmaturity are so much more serious than membranes
stripping, that i never understand what the reluctance is about. I would
not strip an unripe cervix, mostly because I don't think it would work,
and because it would be very painful. I have heard horror stories about
doctors who stripped without consent. I think that is unethical. It was
done to me with my first baby without my consent. (It did work.)

Once it has been determined by caregiver and client that baby needs
to be born, then I would vote for membrane stripping, first. It is the
most effective means, with the least amount of side-effects. it doesn't
start any time clocks, or cause any harm (in my opinion.) If it's being
done for doctor or midwife's convenience, or because mom is impatient,
well, that is a different subject altogether.

If amniotomy is safe (ie cx dilated and effaced, well applied
to vertex, low station), and mom agrees, I think amniotomy induction is
the appropriate thing to do. It's a risk/benefit analysis - I see very
little risk to the procedure and lots of benefits.

I agree. IN SELECTED CASES as you mention (far from hosp. well dilated,
bulging bag, history of rapid labors etc etc). I would sure like to make
certain she is at term, and the head is WAY down there and would like to
have some signs of uterine irritability first -- the more the better.

It's been done around here under those very tightly defined circumstances.
Usually stripping membranes is done early AM or day before and some add
an herbal tincture for a couple hours first. One really hopes it works
and we get a good labor pattern going and don't end up with no labor (or
lousy labor) and PROM. and if any question of dates i wouldn't think of
it.

I think the major risk (if safety criteria are met) is of a lousy labor
pattern and eventual need for pitocin in hospital. Unlikely with a multip
and careful selection, but can happen. Sometimes that uterus is just plain
balky!

[from ob-gyn-l]

Membrane stripping stimulates local prostaglandin production within
(some or all of) decidua, myometrium, membranes. Oxytocin is a pituitary
product and generally circulating levels of oxytocin are static until third
stage. Labour is (partially) due to a change in oxytocin receptor counts
and sensitivity. Prostaglandin leads to an increase in oxytocin receptor
populations.

DeLee (Principles and Practice of Obstetrics) writes: "Occasionally
in a primipara, the head will be deeply engaged, but the cervix is far
back in the hollow of the sacrum and very thin, the membranes are tightly
stretched over the head and there are no forewaters . By pulling the cervix
gently to the middle of the pelvis, separating the membranes around the
lower uterine segment for 2 inches, and pushing up the head a little to
allow some liquor amnii to run down and make a pouch, the mechanism of
labor is started right and the pains improve at once."